Train-pipe coupling



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. I. & M. R. CUNNINGHAM & T. SJUMAN.

' TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

Patented Jan. 11, 1898.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. I. & M. R. CUNNINGHAM 8a T. SJUMAN. TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

No. 597,267. Patented Jan. 11,1898.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

YVILLIAM I. CUNNINGHAM, MIDA B. CUNNINGHAM, AND TI-IEODOR SJGMAN,

OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRAIN-PIPE. COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,267, dated January 1 1, 1898. Application filed June 1, 1897. Serial No. 638,994. (lilo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it kn own that we, WILLIAM I. CUNNING- HAM, MIDA R. CUNNINGHAM, and Trrnonon SJoMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvanimhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Train- Pipe'Couplings; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in. the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to those train-pipe couplings provided with devices operating in conjunction with the coupling member to open or close the train-pipe.

The object of our device is to provide a more simple, cheap, durable, convenient, and

easily-operated mechanism adapted to be applied to an ordinary hose-coupling, such as the Westinghouse.

To this end our invention consists in the peculiar featuresand combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents one of a pair of twin members of our invention uncoupled; and Fig. 2, a plan view of a pair of coupling members provided with our invention, the obverse side only of one member being shown. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the coupling complete.

The reference-letters a. a represent the casings of a pair of twin coupling members, each of which is attachable to the train pipe or hose 1) by means of an'integral stem I)", passinginto the end of the pipe. An angle-cock f is located in the casing at a point between the head a." and stem 12. This angle-cock extends transversely across the casing, its axis being parallel with that of the couplinghead, and its valve f and valveseat f are preferably made of brass to better resist Wear. The valve is held down in its seat by a cap nut 2' and centrally-located spiral spring 1',

posed cylindrical enlargement l, which forms an integral part of the casing CL. The coupling-head a is of the well-known Nestinghouse type now in general use and needs no further description. With this common coupler-head We connect the angle-cock by the mechanism which will now be described.

On the back of the head ct is placed a substantially circular turn-plate cl. This plate is centered to turn freely on a bolt e and is held thereon by a nut c. A segmental recess c is out out of the plate next the opposite coupler-head a. A pair of integral inturned arms (1 and c project at right anglcs to the face of the plate inward across the outside of the head. The front edges d of these arms are arranged to come in contact with the shoulders c c" of the opposite coupling-head a" when the two are coupled, as

seen in Fig. 2, whereby the turning of the two members in the coupling and uncoupling operation will turn the plate d in either direction to open and close the angle-cock. The turn-plate d is connected to the angle cock by a link g, extending substantially parallel with the outside face of the casing a across to a crank-arm 72, fixed on a stem f, turning with the valve of the angle-cock. The opposite ends of the link are loosely at tached to studs g g on the turn-plate cl and crank-arm h, respectively, and are retained thereon by spring-keys h. As an extra precaution against the accidental turning of the angle-cock we provide a safety-latch which consists of a spring-dogm,having one end fixed to the casing and the other end provided with a nose m, adapted to drop into a notch 71 in upon each other in the direction of the arrow to uncouple will cause the shoulder c" of one to engage the arm 61 on the turn-plate d of the other member, carrying the arm c back with it and turning the upper part of the plate forward. This forward movement of the upper part of the plate draws the link 9 and crank-arm h with it and closes the valve of the an gle-cock by the time the turn-plate has been turned around far enough to permit the two coupling members to uncouple. A like movement takes place in each coupler and the ends of both pipes are closed, thereby permitting the uncoupling operation to be performed with much greater ease. In the coupling operation a contrary movement will cause the shoulder a to engage the arm 62 and push it backward to open the angle-cock.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a train-pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling-head, of the character described, of an ang1e-cock located between the head and its stem, and having its axis parallel with that of the head, a turn-plate on the head, a crank-arm on the angle-cock, alocking-latch and a link connection between the turn-plate and crank-arm substantially as described.

2. In a train-pipe coupling, a coupling-head of the character described, provided with a turn-plate having its axis of movement common to that of the head, and adapted to be engaged and actuated by the opposite head, in combination with an angle-cock in connection with the plate.

3. In a train-pipe coupling, a coupling-head of the character described, provided with a turn-plate secured to turn loosely thereon, in combination with an angle-cock located at one side of the head and connected to the plate, and being adapted to be actuated by the opposite coupling-head, substantially as described.

4. In a train-pipe coupling, a coupling-head of the character described, provided with aturn-plate loosely attached to the outside thereof and adapted to be moved by the opposite head, in combination with an anglecock, and connections between the turn-plate and cook, whereby upon the coupling or uncoupling of the parts, the cock will be opened or closed, substantially as described.

5. In a train-pipe, a coupling-head of the character described, provided with an anglecock and a turn-plate loosely attached to the head, in combination with a link, and a lock lug-latch, substantially as described.

6. In a train-pipe coupling of the character described, a coupling-head having a neck to which the train-pipeis attached,and an anglecock provided with a conical valve, in combination with a turn-plate on the head, a link between the turn-plate and valve, acap-nut, a spring, and a pressure-pin, whereby the valve is continually pressed into its seat, substantially as described.

In witness whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM I. CUNNINGHAM. MIDA R. CUNNINGHAM. THEODOR SJ OMAN. Witnesses:

SAMUEL WALLACE, H. J. ROGERS. 

